Let your food be the decor this festive season.

Christmas is around the corner and just the thought of that perfect food spread, and décor can be quite daunting. But what if you could somehow combine the two? You see where I am going with this? Cut the costs this year and scratch all the new elves and trees for the tables. Use your food to do all the talking this Christmas season. The décor options are endless, easy to make and oh so delicious to eat.

Surely Christmas decorations will be incomplete without a wreath of some sort? Here are 2 possible options for you to make. You could make one, but if you are feeling adventurous why not spoil your guests and make both.

Caprese Salad Wreath

A caprese salad wreath is the perfect accompaniment for any South African Christmas table, not only is it pretty but healthy as well. On a round serving platter place a ramekin of balsamic reduction at the centre. Now fill the surrounding space with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves. The finishing touches are your mozzarella balls, olive oil and Italian herbs.

Skewer Wreath

A skewer wreath has endless possibilities, and you can adapt it to your families' preferences. Think miniature meatballs, with green and red cocktail onions or a fruit skewer with watermelon and strawberries. You could play around and even mix different types of skewers on one serving plate. Like the caprese salad wreath, a round serving plate is to be used.

Desert does not need to be over the top. So, keep things simple with an all-time favourite - trifle or make them exciting with fun Santa Hat Brownies. Both desserts have the flavours that most people enjoy, so they are guaranteed too be a hit.

Christmas Trifle

Most people love a trifle, and it is so simple to make. To ensure it is a Christmas trifle fit for your table use Christmas colours. Green or red jelly, vanilla or chocolate cake, whipped cream and some beautiful kiwis and cherries should do the trick. Pay close attention to the layering of each ingredient because this is where the most impact with regards to aesthetics will come from. The clearer the layers, the clearer the effect will be.

Santa Hat Brownies

These Santa Hat Brownies are not just super cute, but it is also a fun way to get the whole family involved. With a total of three ingredients, this will be the easiest pudding to make. Your ingredients will include strawberries, whipped cream, and ready-made brownie. (I use ready made brownies because it is summer and simply the weather is too hot to be baking anything.) But should you be up for making home-made brownies - go for it!

Now for the fun part - depending on the size of your brownies you can blot 1 or 2 portions of whipped cream. After cutting off the strawberries head, place them flat side down on the cream. There you go - simple Santa Hat Brownies.

Food for the festive season needs to fun to make, to look at and to eat. These dishes are guaranteed to tantalize all your senses.